TEHRAN – Iranian bodybuilder Hadi Choopan won the Arnold Classic 2024 Saturday night.
The event saw some tough competitors on stage bring their best packaging that night. However, there was one winner to rule them all, and it was the popular choice among both judges and the audience, Choopan.
The competition witnessed a lot of ups and downs between the pre-judging and finals, with many of the bodybuilders presenting improved conditioning later. The battle between Choopan and Samson Dauda divided fans based on their preferences. In the end, even bodybuilding icon James Hollingshead received praise despite getting fifth place.
For the additional achievements, Dauda won the Best Poser award for his spectacular routine, while Choopan won the Most Muscular award apart from the main title. Throughout the show, many rooted for the Iranian bodybuilder, expressing their wonder at his epic comeback.
The Persian Wolf wasn’t playing around this time. With his increased conditioning and size, many commented on how he looked better than he did at the Olympia last year. Since he had already put in a lot of work, it seems to have paid off.
Incidentally, this was Choopan’s debut at the Arnold Classic. Not only did he win the title during his first-ever appearance at the event, but he also dethroned reigning champion Dauda on his debut.
Choopan won $300,000 and was presented the trophy by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The champion will return at the Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on October 10-13, 2024. He will be considered the top contender to reigning Mr. Olympia champion Derek Lunsford.